PrepForOne

06.28.10:  TODAY IS...

• Long Letter Day - you have to write it.  By hand.  Serious. 
• National Tapioca Day
• Go Barefoot Around the House Day

POP QUIZ

A swan has up to 25-thousand feathers.  What bird has the fewest of all birds?  

ANSWER

The hummingbird!  About a 1,000 feathers.  But being so small, it has more feathers per square inch than most other birds.  The hummingbird beats its wings 80 times per second at speeds of up to 35 mph.  It has a heart rate of 1200 beats per minute.  It drinks 8 times its weight in water each day and eats up to half of its own weight.  Humans do that, too, they're called teenagers!  

source

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IN SEARCH OF 

What folks are Googlin' this morning

"el debarge" - Heeeee's back!  El DeBarge, the guy that gave us "Rhythm of the Night," "Who's Holding Donna Now" and "Love Always," made his comeback appearance on the BET Awards last night.  He has a new album out this fall.  Full rundown of the show and performances here

BET AWARD WINNERS:

Best Female R&B Artist: Alicia Keys

Best Male R&B Artist: Trey Songz

Best Gospel: Marvin Sapp

Best Female Hip Hop Artist: Nicki Minaj

Best Male Hip Hop Artist: Drake

Best New Artist: Nicki Minaj

Best Collaboration: Jay-Z & Alicia Keys "Empire State of Mind"

Video of the Year: Beyonce featuring Lady Gaga "Video Phone"

Video Director of the Year: Hype Williams

Best Actress: Mo'Nique

Best Actor: Idris Elba

YoungStars Award: Keke Palmer

Best Movie: Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire

Subway Sportwoman of the Year: Serena Williams

Subway Sportman of the Year: LeBron James

Centric Award: Monica

Best International Act: Dizzee Rascal (UK)

Humanitarian Award: John Legend

Lifetime Achievement Award: Prince

Viewers' Choice Award: Rihanna featuring Young Jeezy "Hard"

Fandemonium Award: Chris Brown

"dick clark" - Dick Clark was honored at the 37th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards over the weekend.  He was introduced by Ryan Seacrest who said "believe me, if I live to be 300, I could never fill your shoes."  Marie Osmond, Chubby Checker, Tony Orlando and other big names from the 60's and 70's performed a musical tribute.  Recorded messages were played from Cher, Somon Cowell and Garth Brooks.  

Major winners from the 37th Annual Daytime Emmys:

Outstanding Drama Series: The Bold and the Beautiful

Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Maura West, As the World Turns

Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Michael Park, As the World Turns

Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Julie Pinson, As the World Turns

Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Billy Miller, The Young and the Restless

Game Show: Cash Cab

Informative Talk Show: The Doctors

Younger Actor in a Drama Series: Drew Tyler Bell, The Bold and the Beautiful

Younger Actress in a Drama Series: Julie Berman, General Hospital

Drama Series Directing Team: General Hospital

Drama Series Writing Team: The Bold and the Beautiful

Talk Show Host: Mehmet Oz, The Dr. Oz Show

Game Show Host: Ben Bailey, Cash Cab

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PHONEBUZZ

Light 'em up!

You've got your choice today, and today only.  If you had the power, who would you fire -- the office gossip or the office kiss up?

They are separate people, but both are very, very annoying.  You've got the person who kisses up to authority at every opportunity, but since she's only looking out for herself, she doesn't care about who's sleeping with who.

On the other hand, the office gossip will air your dirty laundry whether it's true or not!  Since gossip is the only thing they care about, they have little time to worry about their career.  

Who do you kick out the door?

Speaking of the office -- VH1 is considering a reality show called "Office Bonus," where co-workers fight over a $50-grand bonus.  The workers get locked in their office for 72 hours.  During the lockdown, they try and convince their co-workers to vote for them.  Most votes wins the cash.  Think you could win over your office?  

source

Don't think about it, just answer the question:  Are people good?  

Overall, do you think people are good, or do you think everyone is a selfish pig?  Here's a little something for the pessimist in you this morning --

Panera opened a restaurant in Cayton, MO, where you pay what you can afford.  If life is good right now, you pay full price or even more.  If you're struggling, you pay just a little, or nothing at all.  

The verdict?  "It turns out people are basically good," according to the Associated Press.  60 to 70% pay in full.  15% pay a little more, and 15% pay less or nothing at all.  A few have left big donations, like $20 for a cup of coffee.  

The experiment has worked so well that Panera plans to expand the non-profit model.  

source

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FACEBUZZ

Post this: Best/worst excuse you ever used to get out of a speeding ticket...was it a lie?

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CELEBRITY TWEETS

• BOX OFFICE:  Has Tom Cruise lost his summer sizzle?  "Toy Story 3" and Adam Sandler's "Grown Ups" were #1 and #2 this weekend.  The latest "Toy Story" made $59 million.  "Grown Ups" made $41 million, while Tom Cruise's new flick, "Knight and Day" debuted at #3 with $20.5 million.  rankings here
  
  
• Opening this week:  "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" starring Kristin Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner.  (opens Wed) more info and trailers
  
  
• Actress Mena Survari married concert producer Simone Sestito over the weekend in Vatican City, Italy.  The two met 3-years ago at the Toronto Film Festival.  more
  
  
• Did bachelor Jake threaten Vienna during a June 23rd "closure interview"?  Rumor has it the interview was "emotionally charged," but producers say at no time was anyone ever physically in harm's way. source
  
  
• Another rumor claims Vienna has gone 'into hiding' since the interview for her own safety.  A friend of Jake's told People that the rumor is 'bull,' and Jake did not threaten her.  "Anyone that knows Jake – including Vienna – knows that physically threatening someone is not in his character." more
  
  
• Alex Rodriguez told Access Hollywood that he's a single man, which means... he's definitely dating Cameron Diaz. more
  
  
• Singer Ne-Yo is going to be a daddy.  He told EbonyJet.com that he recently travelled home so he could be on hand for the first ultrasound with his girfriend Monyetta Shaw.  "I'm very, very excited..." source
  
  
• Elizabeth Edwards and her daughter Cate open up for the first time about John's infidelity.  In an essay, Cate wrote about her mother's strength:  "There are the things she taught without words..."  Like, "how to continue to live your life on your own terms when it somehow becomes savaged by people you never invited into it."  happy pic of the two
  
  
• This is weird.  It seems Mel Gibson filed for a restraining order against his ex-girlfriend, and mother of his 7-month-old daughter, Oksana Grigorieva.  RadarOnline.com reports the main issue involves Gibson's access to the child.  Meanwhile, TMZ.com reports that Oksana filed a restraining order against Gibson.  Ahhhh...Hollywood love.  more

CUTTIN' CAKE TODAY

• John Elway (50)
• Kathy Bates (62)
• Mel Brooks (83)
• John Cusack (44)

BIRTHDAY QUIZ

Kathy Bates is 62 today... how creepy was she in this movie?

AUDIO

ANSWER

"Misery" (Annie Wilkes - 1990 co-starring James Caan)

Here's "Misery" in 5 seconds.  

Watch

About right?

PRIMETIME, BABY!

ABC: The Bachelorette (NEW), True Beauty (NEW)

CBS: How I Met Your Mother, Rules of Engagement, Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, CSI: Miami

NBC: Persons Unknown (NEW), Last Comic Standing (NEW)

FOX: Lie to Me (NEW), The Good Guys (NEW)

CW: 90210, Gossip Girl

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FUN STUFF

GADGET OF THE DAY

This week I'll feature some great gadgets for the Fourth of July weekend!  If you're grilling out this Independence Day, then THIS is that one edge you'll have over the other guys -- your very own initials on each piece of beef.  Yes, they'll remember who you are through the entire meal because it's right there, ON your meal.  The Monogrammed Barbecue Branding Iron costs $60 here, but a quick Google search will find other places to get it by the fourth.   

GOTTA SEE THIS

Hey, I spotted your grandpa over the weekend... 

watch

DID YOU KNOW

" The slumbering mind might not seem like an apt tool for any critical thinking, but humans can actually solve problems while asleep, researchers say. Not only that, but one purpose for dreaming itself may be to help us find solutions to puzzles that plague us during waking hours."  (Your boss will never buy it, though)

-Read on...

WHO SAID IT?

"Only in my dreams have I been able to have a catfight with Debbie Gibson...until now! This is soo MEGA Cool!"

-Tiffany on her upcoming movie with Debbie Gibson called "Mega Python vs. Gatoroid."  read about the movie...crazy

JOKE OF THE DAY

A woman walks into the kitchen to find her husband stalking around with a fly swatter.

"What are you doing?" she asks.

"Hunting flies," he responds.

"Oh, killing any?" she asks.

"Yep, three males and two females," he replies.

Intrigued, she asks: "How can you tell them apart?"

"Easy,” he replies: “Three were on a beer can, and two were on the phone."

SURF THIS!

StackMeUp.com is a new site that compares you to others around the world.  No, not looks, but everything else -- from education, to health, to income to sex.  Input your information, and you'll see how you stack up against the world.  Have fun!

DOGGIE BAG

• The good news:  Mom, I'm valedictorian!  The bad:  Along with half the school... go!
  
  
• Drunk man robs a woman's house.  Takes her money and leaves.  Justin kiddin'... he takes her money and then demands she "make him an egg."  go!
  
  
• A guy flags down a cop in Winter Park, Florida, to report a robbery.  He said someone took half his paycheck.  That "someone" was him blowing the money at a strip club.  He said he needed the robbery report to stay out of trouble with his wife.  The perfect plan.  go!
  
  
• Wouldn't it be funny if we sent the old man a bogus receipt for his own cremation?  Ha ha ha ha... wait, he was so freaked out he died?  CRAP! go!
  
  
• Top ten hot dog joints in America go!